The automaker says the automatic transmission shift cable can detach from the shift lever. As a result, the lever may fail to show the right gear while the vehicle is in motion. Even when the vehicle is stopped with the transmission put in «park», it may still be in gear and roll away, increasing the risk of a crash and injury to drivers, passengers and pedestrians, the documents by the NHTSA state. Another problem is inability to start the vehicle as it can`t be shifted into “park”.

Hyundai got 1,171 warranty claims related to the issue, plus seven reports related to the defect. There have been no accidents or injuries caused by the problem, the company spokesman stated.

The automaker will start notifying the owners by the end of September. They will be asked to bring their vehicles to the dealership to have the connection between the shift cable and shift lever repaired at no cost. Owners of the defective vehicles affected by Hyundai recall can contact the automaker for questions and inquiries.

The Sonata is the South Korean automaker`s second best-selling car in the U.S. after the Elantra. It made up 29% (106,347 units) of all new Hyundai sales across the United States in the first half of 2014.

Legal Help

If you bought a defective vehicle that the manufacturer or the dealership is unable to repair, feel free to contact a Lemon Law lawyer Hovanes Margarian at (818) 553-1000 for FREE case evaluation and further legal help.